Vatican to Broadcast Christmas Masses

WASHINGTON, D.C., NOV. 12, 2010 (Zenit.org).- Catholics around the globe will be able to witness Benedict XVI celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Day Masses, the Vatican is reporting.

Broadcasters will have access to the satellite services via Eurovision through its World Feed Service. A domestic satellite feed for the United States and Canada is planned for the Christmas Midnight Mass and Christmas Day Blessing “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the city of Rome and to the World”.)

On Friday, Dec. 24, the Pope will celebrate Midnight Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica. It will be aired from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. (all times EST).

On Saturday, Dec. 25, the Christmas message and the blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city of Rome and the world) will air beginning at 6 a.m.

On Saturday, Jan. 1, 2011, the Mass of the solemnity of Mary Mother of God, on the occasion of the 44th World Day of Peace, presided over by Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Basilica, will air beginning at 4 a.m.

The Vatican will provide commentaries on the televised broadcasts in English, Spanish and French through radio satellite broadcasts available on ISDN from Vatican Radio.

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For more information: www.pccs.it/tj/telecasts.htm